Mamma mia! Papa Romano's returning to Milford this summer

A banner hangs outside the WOW! gas station in Milford where Papa Romano's plans to open. The chain's director of operations said the Milford pizza stand is expected to open in July.(Photo: David Veselenak | hometownlife.com)

For those in Milford who have missed getting their fix of Bambino Bread the last decade: your long nightmare is over.

Papa Romano's, based in Commerce Township, is bringing its pizza, salad and dinners back to Milford after closing a store in town about 10 years ago, said Chris Konja, the chain's director of operations. He said he believed the store formerly operated on General Motors Road before closing, and the company's excited to bring its signature pies back to the Milford area.

"As a company, we're just excited to go back where we had a nice footprint and where we had good will," he said. "The community really wants it."

The pizza place, which will also have a Mr. Pita attached to it, will open in the WOW! gas station at 100 S. Milford Road, right at the Milford/General Motors intersection. Konja said the restaurant is expected to open by July 1.

The shop will serve its typical fare, consisting of pizza, breadsticks, salad and dinner, as well as Mr. Pita wraps. The restaurant will also offer catering as well, Konja said.

The Milford restaurant continues a period of rebirth for the company, which closed many stores during the recession, Konja said. The company recently opened a new store in Walled Lake and plans to open another in Lake Orion soon.

"We want through the same hardships as other companies did during the recession," Konja said. "Our franchisees are backing us up. It's giving us an opportunity to grow."